The effect of a single dose of propranolol on human erythrocytes in vivo.
In vitro propranolol has a profound effect on erythrocytes as indicated by a decrease of the packed cell volume and a shift to the right of the oxygen dissociation curve. Because of the lack of satisfactory in vivo studies, the effect of 80 mg propranolol and placebo was compared in twelve volunteers in a double-blind study. Although plasma propranolol concentrations varied greatly from individual to individual, all propranolol subjects demonstrated effective beta-blockade. Packed cell volume, mean cellular volume, plasma trapping after haematocrit centrifugation, P 50, 2,3-DPG, ATP, erythrocyte filterability and blood viscosity at different packed cell volumes (50% and 80%) and shear rates (11.5, 23, 46, 115 and 230 s-1) did not change significantly following administration of either propranolol or placebo. These findings are of interest in view of the use of beta-blocking agents in critically ill patients.
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001692:Biological Transport; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010919:Placebos; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D010919:Placebos; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D011433:Propranolol; D010100:Oxygen